Episode 2: “The Corbomite Maneuver”

For our second episode, we review the first Star Trek show filmed after the series was given the green light: “The Corbomite Maneuver.”

This time it’s not chess, but poker, as Captain Kirk bluffs his way through encounters with a spinning cube, a gargantuan sphere, and five blinking Christmas lights (at least that’s what the scout ship looked like on Dad’s VHS edition).

Bones, Uhura, and Yoeman Rand all make their first appearances aboard the Enterprise in this episode, and Sulu takes his familiar seat at the helm. Sitting next to him is a rather annoying Mr. Bailey, who fortunately only graces the Star Trek screen this once and then is banished to give the cackling space-baby Balok some companionship. Fascinating, indeed.

This episode sees Kirk battle wits with both McCoy (who, in case you didn’t know, was NEVER a moon shuttle conductor) and Spock (who gives Kirk his lamest advice advice ever).

Between losing his shirt, being threatened by a puppet, eating green leaves, and boozing it up (twice), this show is quite a ride for the stalwart Captain of the Enterprise.

Do you dig on beehive hairdos? Do you walk around your workplace with your shirt off? Are you afraid of an alien-baby with crooked teeth and a hideous laugh? Tell us about it in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

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